” “Nuns and priests in China or to study in Europe to have a better spiritual and human education. Difficult lives and experiences, despite the powerful reawakening of callings: many stories told over these days during the VII European Talks of Catholics in China, promoted by Pime (Pontificio istituto missioni estere the Papal Institute for Overseas Missions) in Triuggio (Milan). Sister Mary (the name has been changed for security reasons) said "religious ferment in convents is so great that, when crossing the old lifestyles, it can cause breaks". This is actually "the first generation of all-Chinese nuns": in 2004, they were 5,200 in 60 dioceses, 1,600 of whom were novices. But the problems concern above all the relations with the bishop (who is in charge of taking decisions on congregations, all very young), the "lack of a charisma and identity" because they are not wanted by a founder but by the dioceses, and the gaps in human and spiritual education. "Many come from rural areas and do not know what consecrated life exactly is she explains some think it is a way to climb up the social ladder or receive an education". Another deeply-felt problem is that "in Chinese culture, female leadership is not taken seriously". But, despite all this, she concludes, "the testimony of these young sisters urges us to look at faith not as at a system of laws and beliefs but from a perspective of love, care and human relations". (to be continued)” “
